Indexing means for drill rod storage rack

ABSTRACT

A positive indexing mechanism for positioning a movable drill rod storage rack on a mobile rock drill unit. The storage rack includes spaced apart rack members having a plurality of receptacles for storing elongated drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the axis of the drill string. The indexing mechanism includes movable plungers associated with the individual receptacles on one of the rack members and operable to be actuated by the drill rod sections when placed in the receptacles. The plungers are responsive to the absence of a drill rod section from a receptacle to engage a sliding catch mechanism for arresting the movement of the storage rack in a predetermined position for loading or unloading a drill rod section. A hydraulic control circuit associated with the storage rack and the indexing mechanism includes a selector valve and actuator device for providing positive alignment of the rack for removing a rod section therefrom or alternatively loading a rod section, which has been disconnected from the drill string, into an empty receptacle.

United States Patent Council [451 May 23, 1972 [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

22 Filed: Oct. 2, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 77,476

52 use: ..17s ss,175/52 [51] Int-Cl [58] FleldofSearch [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,773,605 12/1956 De Jamett ..21l/60 S X 2,848,196 8/1958 Simmonds... .....l/85 X 3,286,777 1 H1966 Gyongyosi 3,336,991 8/1967 Klern et al 3 ,493,061 2/1970 Gyongyosi Malcolm N. Council, Richardson, Tex.

Gardner-Denver Company, Quincy, lll.

.......................... ..E21b 19/00 175/52, 21 l/6O S; 2l4/2.5

..l75/85 X /85 X Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant ExaminerRichard E. F avreau Attorney-Michael E. Martin [57] ABSTRACT A positive indexing mechanism for positioning a movable drill rod storage rack on a mobile rock drill unit. The storage rack includes spaced apart rack members having a plurality of receptacles for storing elongated drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the axis of the drill string. The indexing mechanism includes movable plungers associated with the individual receptacles on one of the rack members and operable to be actuated by the drill rod sections when placed in the receptacles. The plungers are responsive to the absence of a drill rod section from a receptacle to engage a sliding catch mechanism for arresting the movement of the storage rack in a predetermined position for loading or unloading a drill rod section. A hydraulic control circuit associated with the storage rack and the indexing mechanism includes a selector valve and actuator device for providing positive alignment of the rack for removing a rod section therefrom or alternatively loading a rod section, which has been disconnected from the drill string, into an empty receptacle.

1 1 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 2 3 I972 SHEET b [1F 6 PATENTEDHAY 23 I972 3. 664.439

' sum 6 (1F 6 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art of portable rock drilling apparatus to provide means for handling and storing elongated drill rod sections which are used to provide an extension drill string made up of a plurality of said rod sections coupled in end-toend relationship. Various configurations of movable drill rod storage racks are known including rotary or so-called Lazy Susan" types and also a type in which a plurality of rods are stored laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill string.

A particular problem with the known types of lateral drill rod storage racks pertains to the positive indexing or positioning of the rack in alignment with the axis of the drill string for adding or removing a drill rod section with respect thereto. In conventional drilling rigs it is necessary for the rig operator to visually sight in the position of the rod storage rack, when preparing to add a rod section to the drill string, by aligning a drill rod section for coupling one end of the rod section to the drill motor. In most drilling rigs the length of a drill rod section is sufficient to make the visual sighting procedure difficult as the operator is normally seated on the rig near ground level and the drill motor, in position for coupling to a rod section, may be located as much as 30 to 40 feet above the ground. Accordingly, repeated jogging of the storage rack controls is often necessary before proper alignment of the rod section to be added to the drill string is obtained.

Moreover, when removal of drill rod sections from the extension drill string is desired it improper alignment of the storage rack with respect to the rod section to be received is experienced there is the danger of said rod section falling out of the storage rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides indexing means for positively positioning a movable drill rod storage rack of the type in which a plurality of drill rod sections are stored laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of an extension drill string. The indexing means of the present invention is operable to position a drill rod storage rack to align a drill rod section stored therein with the drill string axis for adding arod section to said drill string. The indexing means of the present invention is further operable to position a drill rod storage rack to align a receptacle thereon with the axis of a drill string for receiving a drill rod section removed from said drill string.

The present invention also provides indexing means for a lateral type drill rod storage rack which automatically indexes the rack, when moved for unloading a drill rod section, to a position for unloading a drill rod section which is successively in position in the rack to be added to the drill string. Conversely, the indexing means of the present invention is operable to automatically index the storage rack, when moved to load or receive a drill rod section, whereby an empty receptacle on the rack which is adjacent a receptacle containing a drill rod section is in position for receiving a drill rod section from the drill string.

The present invention further provides an indexing means for a lateral type drill rod storage rack which is adapted to be remote controlled, and which provides for more efficient and safe handling of elongated drill rod sections than heretofore known.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a mobile rock drilling unit in cluding a lateral drill rod storage rack embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lower storage rack member taken generally from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lower storage rack member taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail of one of the indexing plungers.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the upper storage rack member taken generally from the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of the control system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally along the same line as the view of FIG.4.

FIG. 9 is a view taken generally along the same line as the view of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I, a mobile rock drill unit is illustrated in front elevation and generally designated by the numeral 10. The rock drill unit 10, typical of a well known type, includes a track laying undercarriage 12 upon which is mounted an elongated support or mast-14. The support 14 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a substantially erect or vertical position and is adapted to support movably thereon a drill motor 16. The drill motor 16 is operable to be driven reversibly along the support 14 by suitable feed means, not shown. The drill motor 16 includes a rotatable shank portion 18 having suitable means for detachably connecting the shank portion to an elongated member comprising a drill rod section 20. The drill rod sec tion 20 is typically adapted to have external and internal threaded portions at its opposite ends 22 and 24, respectively, whereby a plurality of rod sections may be coupled in end-toend relationship to form an extension drill string for drilling a hole 26. In FIG. 1 the drill rod section 20 is shown in a position in which it is decoupled from a second rod section 28 which comprises a drill string 30. The second rod section 28 is shown supported by a power operated decoupling or joint breakout device 32. The numeral 34 designates the longitudinal axis or centerline of the drill hole 26 which is substantially the axis about which the drill motor 16 is operable to rotatably and axially drive the drill string to form said drill hole. The drill unit 10 is further characterized by a control station 36 from which the unit and its attendant accessories may be operated.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6'the drill unit 10 also includes movable drill rod storage meansmounted on the support 14 and generally designated by the numeral 38. The storage means 38 includes upper and lower rack members 40 and 42, respectively, supported by the members 44 and 46 attached to the support 14. The members 44 and 46 each include a plurality of flanged rollers 48 which are arranged to guide and support the rack members 40 and 42.

The storage rack members 40 and 42 are interconnected by an elongated shaft 50.rotatably supported on the member 46 by bearings 52, FIG. 3, and in a similar manner on the member 44 by bearings 54, one shown, FIG. 6. The upper storage rack member 40, FIG. 6, includes a gear rack 56 attached thereto and enmeshed with a pinion 58 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 50. The lower rack member 42 has a similar gear rack 60 which is enmeshed with a pinion 62 also mounted on the shaft 50. The shaft 50 is adapted to be reversibly rotatively driven by the fluid operated motor 64 through a coupling 65, FIG. 3, whereby the storage rack members 40 and 42 may be moved, in unison, laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis 34 and the elongated support 14.

Referring to FIG. 6 the upper storage rack member 40 includes a portion 64 having a plurality of openings 66 interconnected by a slot 68. The openings 66 are operable to hold one end of the drill rod sections 20, 21 and 23 in the respective positions shown. As may be noted from FIG. I, the upper ends of the rod sections include reduced diameter portions 70 which, when properly aligned, enable the rods to pass through the slot 68.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the lower storage rack member 42 includes portion 72 having drill rod receiving means comprising cuplike receptacles 74, 76, 78 and 80 mounted thereon and equally spaced to be aligned with the openings 66 in the storage rack member 40. A rectangular shaped key portion 82 extends transversely across the bottom of each receptacle and fits into a cooperating groove 84 in the end of each of the rod sections, FIG. 3, to prevent rotation of the rod sections when they are located in their respective receptacles. Each of the receptacles has an opening 86 through which projects indexing means comprising a roller actuator 88 attached to the end of a pivotally mounted link 90. The links 90 are pivotally mounted on the lower storage rack portions 72 and are each connected to a cylindrical plunger 92, FIG. 5, by means of an intermediate link 94. Each of the plungers 92 are slidably retained in a cylindrical housing 96 suitably fastened to the lower storage rack member 42. Referring to FIG. as representative of the four plunger assemblies shown, the plungers 92 each include a shoulder 98 engaged by a coil spring 100 located within the housing 96 and biasing the plunger into the retracted position indicated by the solid lines. When a section of drill rod is located in a receptacle the roller and link assembly is operable to engage the end of the rod section as shown in FIG. 3 to extend the plunger to the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5. In addition to the four movable plungers 92 mounted equally spaced along the storage rack member 42 there is also a fixed pin 102 mounted on the rack member 42 and laterally aligned with and at the same spacing interval as the movable plungers.

The storage rack member 42 includes a channel 104 in which a movable slide 106 is retained by a flange 108. The slide 106 includes an adjustable stop 110 movably fastened at one end thereof. A set screw 112 threadedly attached to the end 114 of the slide 106 is operable to adjust the position of the stop 110. The opposite end of the slide includes a catch 116 pivotally attached to the slide at 118. The catch 116 includes a recessed portion 120 and an inclined surface portion 122, see FIG. 4, both portions being operable to engage the plungers 92. An elongated rail 124 attached to the rack member 42 is provided for slidably supporting the catch 116 as shown in FIG. 4.

The storage rack indexing means further includes a projection 126 attached to the member 46 and operable to engage the adjustable stop 110 to arrest the movement of the slide 106 when the storage rack 42 is moved to position a receptacle in line with the axis 34 or to the left viewing FIG. 2.

Also mounted on the member 46 is a fluid actuated cylinder and piston device 128 shown partially sectioned in FIG. 2. The fluid actuated cylinder 128 includes a piston 130 operable to move a pinlike projection 132 into an extended position in line with the path of movement of the stop 110 on the slide 106. The movable projection 132 includes a spring 134 operable to bias the projection in the position shown in FIG. 2 in response to the cylinder 128 being in the deenergized or vented condition. The cylinder 128 is mounted on the member 46 at a distance from the fixed projection 126 equal to the spacing interval of the receptacles 74, 76, 78 and 80. When the cylinder 128 is supplied with pressure fluid by way of conduit 136 the piston 130 is operable to move the projection 132 into position to be engaged by the stop 1 to arrest the slide 106 when the storage rack members 40 and 42 are being moved into position to load a drill rod section into one of the receptacles.

The indexing means described herein operates to position the drill rod storage means 38 in a predetermined position for unloading or loading drill rod sections seriatim with respect to the storage means. The unloading or loading operation is selectable at will by operating the movable projection 132 to be in its retracted position shown in FIG. 2 or to be extended to engage the stop 110 on the slide 106. When the drill rod storage means 38 is not being operated to load or unload drill rodsections, the rack members are retracted laterally away from the support 14. The limit of movement of the rack member 40 and 42 away from the support is determined by the engagement of the catch pivot 118 with the stop 126 which arrests the slide 106, and the engagement of the bumper 140 on the member 42, FIGS. 2 and 4, with the surface 142 on the catch 116. In this way the catch 116 also is always operable to engage the first plunger, viewed from right to left in FIG. 4 in the projected position when the storage rack members are moved from their retracted position toward axis 34.

Referring to FIG. 8, the unloading of drill rod section 28 from receptacle 74 is accomplished by moving the drill rod storage means 38 laterally toward the axis 34 until the stop engages the projection 126 and the catch 116 engages the plunger 92 associated with receptacle 74 stopping the storage rack member with the rod section 28 in line with the axis 34. The rod section 28 is then threadedly engaged at its upper end by the shank portion 18. The drill motor 16 is operable to be raised up the support 14 a distance sufficient to allow the lower end of the rod section 28 to clear the receptacle 74 and coincidently place the reduced diameter portion 70 on the rod section in position to clear the upper rod rack member 40 by moving through the slot 68 as the storage rack members are operated to move to the retracted position.

When it is necessary to add the drill rod section 20 to the drill string the storage rack members are again moved toward the axis 34. Since the receptacle 74 is now empty the plunger associated therewith will be retracted and the catch 116 will engage the plunger 92 associated with the receptacle 76 and arrest the storage rack members in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 whereby the drill rod section 20 is in position to be added to the drill string 30. The rod sections stored in the receptacles 78 and 80 are similarly successively positioned to be unloaded and added to the drill string.

Referring to FIG. 9, with all receptacles empty, when it is desired to load a drill rod section into the receptacle 80 the fluid operated movable projection 132 is actuated to be engaged by the stop 1 10 as the storage rack members are moved toward the axis 34. The rack members will continue to move until catch 1 16 engages the fixed pin 102 thereby arresting the storage rack members with receptacle 80 in line with the axis 34 to receive rod section 23 which has been decoupled from the drill string and is operable to be lowered into the receptacle in somewhat the reverse of the manner it was removed from the storage means by the drill motor 16. After suitably disconnecting the rod section 23 from the drill motor the storage rack members are moved away from the axis 34. Since the plunger associated with receptacle 80 has been actuated by the placement of drill rod section 23 in said receptacle the surface 122 of catch 116 will engage that plunger as the storage rack moves to the left, FIG. 9, causing the catch to pivot clear of the plunger. When the storage means is again moved into position to load a rod section in the receptacle 78, the catch 116 will accordingly engage the plunger associated with receptacle 80 and the storage rack 42 will be arrested with receptacle 78 in line with the axis 34, assuming that the movable projection 132 is in position to engage stop 110. In like manner each succeeding receptacle is positioned to receive a drill rod section.

From the foregoing description it is believed that an understanding may be obtained of the operation of the drill rod storage rack indexing means to automatically position the storage rack members 40 and 42 to be in proper alignment with the drill string axis to unload or load extension drill rod sections with respect to a drill string.

Referring to FIG. 7 a schematic illustration is shown of a suitable pressure fluid control circuit for the drill rod storage and indexing means herein disclosed. The control circuit of FIG. 7 includes a hydraulic pump of the variable displacement, pressure compensated type. The pump 150 is connected to a fluid reservoir 152 and to a three-position manually actuated valve 154 having a normally closed position 0. The valve 154 may be manually actuated to either of the positions a or b. The valve 154 is in circuit with a bi-directional hydraulic motor represented by the schematic symbol for the motor 64 which operates to reversibly move the drill rod storage means 38. The control circuit of FIG. 7 also includes pressure relief valves 156 and 158 operable to bypass hydraulic fluid from the pump 150 back to the reservoir 152. The control circuit of FIG. 7 also includes a two-position valve 159 which is manually actuatable to be in either positions a or b. The valve 159 is operable to supply hydraulic fluid to or vent hydraulic fluid from the fluid actuated cylinder device 128 which operates the movable projection 132.

The operation of the control circuit of FIG. 7 is believed to be readily understandable in view of the foregoing description of the operation of the drill rod storage and indexing means. The valve 159 is selected to be in position b for extending the projection 132 for the drill rod loading sequence and in position a for allowing the projection to retract when the unloading process is desired. The valve 154 is manually operable to be in positions a or b for reversibly driving the motor 64 to move the drill rod storage means. When movement of the storage rack members 40 and 42 is arrested by the indexing means the relief valves 156 or 158 will operate to bypass pressure fluid to the reservoir 152 to prevent damage to the motor or the drive shaft 50 until the drill operator releases the control valve 154. The components of the control circuit are all suitably located on the drill rig 10 with the valves 154 and 159 desirably located at the control station 36. The pump 150 is suitably driven by power supply means, not shown, mounted on the undercarriage 12.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, the improvement comprismg:

indexing means operable to position said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis of said drill string whereby a drill rod section in said storage means is positioned in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said drill string.

2. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, said drill rod storage means including drill rod receiving means operable to receive and hold said drill rod sections, the improvement comprising:

indexing means operable to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis of said drill string whereby said receiving means is in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said drill string for receiving a drill rod section decoupled from said drill string.

3. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means including drill rod receiving means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, the improvement comprising:

indexing means including means responsive to said drill rod sections being received in said receiving means to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means. 4. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said drill rod storage means comprises spaced apart storage rack members movably mounted on said support and said receiving means for receiving said plurality of drill rod sections is mounted on one of said storage rack members.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: said receiving means comprises a plurality of spaced receptacles each of said receptacles being operable to receive and support an end portion of a drill rod section whereby said drill rod sections are stored adjacent one another and laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, and said indexing means includes means responsive to said drill rod sections being received in said receptacles to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means In a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein: said indexing means comprises catch means movably mounted on said one storage rack member, and said indexing means includes movable projection means operable to be actuated by said drill rod sections received in said receptacles, said movable projection means being engageable with said catch means in response to the movement of said one storage rack member for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein: said movable projection means includes actuating means engageable with said drill rod sections when said drill rod sections are received in said receptacles for actuating said movable projection means to be engaged by said catch means in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein: said catch means includes a stop operable to engage projec tion means mounted on said support whereby in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means to position a receptacle for unloading or receiving a drill rod section said catch means is operable to be arrested by said stationary projection means and in turn said catch means is operable to engage said movable projection means to position a receptacle on said one rack member in alignment with said longitudinal axis.

9. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein: said projection means mounted on said support includes said second projection is operable to be moved into and'out of a position wherein said second projection is engageable with said stop on said movable catch. 1 1. The invention set forth in claim 10 wherein:

said second projection includes pressure fluid operated cylinder and piston means operable to move said second projection. 

1. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of Drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, the improvement comprising: indexing means operable to position said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis of said drill string whereby a drill rod section in said storage means is positioned in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said drill string.
 2. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, said drill rod storage means including drill rod receiving means operable to receive and hold said drill rod sections, the improvement comprising: indexing means operable to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis of said drill string whereby said receiving means is in alignment with said longitudinal axis of said drill string for receiving a drill rod section decoupled from said drill string.
 3. In combination with a rock drill unit including an elongated support, drill motor means movably mounted on said support for driving a drill string made up of elongated drill rod sections coupled end to end, and drill rod storage means including drill rod receiving means movably mounted on said support and operable to store a plurality of drill rod sections laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, the improvement comprising: indexing means including means responsive to said drill rod sections being received in said receiving means to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means.
 4. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: said drill rod storage means comprises spaced apart storage rack members movably mounted on said support and said receiving means for receiving said plurality of drill rod sections is mounted on one of said storage rack members.
 5. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: said receiving means comprises a plurality of spaced receptacles each of said receptacles being operable to receive and support an end portion of a drill rod section whereby said drill rod sections are stored adjacent one another and laterally seriatim with respect to the longitudinal axis of said drill string, and said indexing means includes means responsive to said drill rod sections being received in said receptacles to provide for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means.
 6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein: said indexing means comprises catch means movably mounted on said one storage rack member, and said indexing means includes movable projection means operable to be actuated by said drill rod sections received in said receptacles, said movable projection means being engageable with said catch means in response to the movement of said one storage rack member for positioning said drill rod storage means in a predetermined position with respect to said longitudinal axis.
 7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein: said movable projection means includes actuating means engageable with said drill rod sections when said drill rod sections are received in said receptacles for actuating said movable projection means to be engaged by said catch means in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means.
 8. The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein: said catch means includes a stop operable to engage projection means mounted on said support whereBy in response to the movement of said drill rod storage means to position a receptacle for unloading or receiving a drill rod section said catch means is operable to be arrested by said stationary projection means and in turn said catch means is operable to engage said movable projection means to position a receptacle on said one rack member in alignment with said longitudinal axis.
 9. The invention set forth in claim 8 wherein: said projection means mounted on said support includes spaced apart projections, including a first projection operable to arrest said catch to position said storage means whereby a drill rod section stored therein is in alignment with said longitudinal axis, and a second projection operable to arrest said catch to position said storage means whereby one of said receptacles is in alignment with said longitudinal axis for receiving a drill rod section decoupled from said drill string.
 10. The invention set forth in claim 9 wherein: said second projection is operable to be moved into and out of a position wherein said second projection is engageable with said stop on said movable catch.
 11. The invention set forth in claim 10 wherein: said second projection includes pressure fluid operated cylinder and piston means operable to move said second projection. 